Technology in the Workplace – The Ups and Downs

Take a second to imagine what it must be like without all the devices we use to communicate with every day. Imagine your day with only a fixed telephone at your disposal. We can’t. Imagine when you were “out of the office” that is exactly what you are. Left in the dark until your sandwich has been eaten and you return to the office.

Has the onset of a massive technological avalanche affected our communication positively or negatively? Let’s examine some points:

Some of the positives might include:
• The ability to connect with anyone at any time around the world.
• We can now cross the language barrier with the invention of language apps.
• Communication is faster and more convenient than ever before.
• We can ask a question and receive an answer at the touch of a button. This minimizes time spent waiting which increases productivity.
• Communication and marketing is cheaper than ever before. Marketing your business on Social Media platforms is free. Text messages, chat services and emails are free or next to nothing.
• Group instant messaging chats enables members of a team to be on the same page at all times. Important ideas are shared instantly.
• Meetings are no longer confined to the boardroom. The boss can be closing a deal on the other side of the world and still chair a meeting via a video conference.

However, with positives come negatives. They might include:
• Employees may become distracted by constantly being on their devices.
• Technology can harm our communication skills to the point that we forget how to speak in public!
• Emoticons and shortened words such as “lol” and “c u l8ter” may have a negative impact on our written, formal communication.
• People forget how to read each other. Cues such as utterances and body language are forgotten. We also don’t make eye contact anymore. This hinders face to face communication in a big way.
• We no longer know how to deal with conflict. We simply send an email. It’s easier.
• Overall there is a lack of communication skills between employers and employees across the globe.

It is difficult to predict the future, but one thing is for certain. Technology is going to make it easier and easier for us to communicate. A good thing, right? Time will tell.